Shantanu
Shantanu | |
---|---|
Personal information | |
Parents |
|
Siblings | Devapi (brother) Bahlika (brother) |
Spouse | Ganga Satyavati |
Children | Biological
Adopted |
Dynasty | Kuru-Chandravamsha |
Shantanu (
The ruler was the youngest son of King Pratipa of Hastinapura and had been born during the latter's latter years. His eldest brother, Devapi, had leprosy, and had given up his inheritance to become a hermit. The middle son, Bahlika, (or Vahlika) abandoned his paternal kingdom, and had started living with his maternal uncle in Balkh, subsequently inheriting his kingdom. Shantanu, thus, ascended the throne of Hastinapura.
He is best known for being the father of Bhishma (born as Devavrata), among the mightiest warriors of the epic.
Etymology
The meaning of the name can be explained by nirukti available in Adi Parva, through which Sri Nityānanda Miśra elaborates its meaning as "the one who amplifies sukha (happines) for others".[4] Monier-Williams translates śaṁ-tanu as "wholesome for the body".[5]
The Sambhava Parva of Mahabharata says that the old men of his kingdom who were touched by this monarch not only felt an indescribable sensation of pleasure but also became restored to youth. Therefore, this monarch was called Santanu.
Brahma's curse and the birth of Shantanu
In his previous birth, there was a powerful king of the
The Kuru king Pratipa was once meditating. At that time Ganga took the form of a beautiful woman, approached the king and sat on his right thigh. When he asked her what she wanted, Ganga requested him to become her husband. Pratipa however refused since he had taken a vow not to lust for anybody, and also that she had sat on his right thigh and according to traditions a man's right thigh was for his daughter or daughter-in-law while the left thigh was for his wife. He then proposed that she marry his son, to which she agreed.
A child was born to Pratipa and his wife Sunanda in their old age. He was named Shantanu because when he was born his father had controlled his passions by ascetic penances. Pratipa then installed Shantanu as king of Hastinapura and retired into the woods to perform penances. Bahlika who was elder than Shantanu also gave permission to him for becoming the king of Hastinapura.
Marriage with Ganga
Shantanu saw a beautiful woman on the banks of the river
When Ganga was about to drown the eighth son, Shantanu, devastated, could not restrain himself and confronted her. Finally, Ganga explained to King Shantanu about Brahma's curse given to Mahabhisha and her. Then she told him that their eight children were Eight Vasu's who were cursed by Vasishtha to be born on earth as mortal humans. However, when they pacified him, he limited his curse and told them that they would be freed from this curse upon their birth as humans. So she released the seven of them from human life by drowning them all. However, the Vasu
Reunion with his son
Shantanu, filled with grief from the loss of his wife and son, began to practise Brahmacharya and ruled his kingdom extremely well. By merely adopting virtuous behaviour, Shantanu was easily able to conquer the entire world without lifting weapons. All the kings declared Shantanu as Emperor and his reign was a peaceful one. Shantanu gave up hunting and gained popularity from his subjects.
One day, while walking along the banks of the Ganga, Shantanu saw that the river had become shallow. While searching for the cause of this phenomenon, he came across a handsome young boy who had checked the river's flow with his celestial weapon. The young boy was his son, however, he did not recognize him because he could see him only for a few moments after he was born. The boy recognized that he was his father; however, he did not reveal it to him. Instead he disappeared from his sight using his power of illusion. Shantanu upon seeing this wondered whether the boy was actually his son and called upon Ganga to show the boy to him. Ganga having thus appeared revealed to him that the boy was actually his son Devavrata and that he was taught the knowledge of the holy scriptures by the sage
Although Shantanu was pained from his separation from Ganga, he was overjoyed upon receiving such an accomplished son. He performed seven Ashvamedha Yagnas on the banks of Yamuna with the help of Devavrata.[9]
Marriage with Satyavati
Four years later, Shantanu while travelling near the banks of Yamuna smelled a sweet scent coming from an unknown direction. While searching for the cause of the scent, he came across Satyavati from whom the smell of scent was coming. Satyavati was an adopted daughter of the chief of the fishermen of her village. Upon seeing her, Shantanu fell in love with her and desired to marry her. Upon asking for his consent, her father agreed to the marriage on the condition that Satyavati's son would inherit the throne of Hastinapura.
King Shantanu was unable to give his word on accession as his eldest son Devavrata was the heir to the throne and was forlorn. Devavrata, however, realised the cause of his sorrow and for the sake of his father, gave his word to the chief that he would renounce all his claims to the throne, in favour of Satyavati's children. To reassure the skeptical chief further, he also vowed lifelong celibacy to ensure that future generations borne of Satyavati would also not be challenged by his offspring. Upon hearing this vow he immediately agreed to the marriage of Satyavati and Shantanu. Devavrata was named as Bhishma (one who has taken a terrible vow) by the celestials because of the terrible oath he took. Devavrata returned to Hastinapura with Satyavati, and marriage of Shantanu and Satyavati happens. But eventually Shantanu knows about his son's vow. Upon hearing about this, Shantanu at first was heartbroken, but later became highly impressed with his son's love and affection and gave him a boon that he will only die if he wants to. Shantanu and Satyavati went on to have two sons, Chitrāngada and Vichitravirya. After Shantanu's death, Chitrangada became king of Hastinapur.
Literature
- van Buitenen, J.A.B. (1973), Mahabharata, vol. 1, Chicago, The University of Chicago Press, pp. 216–230
- Shastri Chitrao, M.M.S. (1964), Bharatavarshiya Prachin Charitrakosha (Dictionary of Ancient Indian Biography, in Hindi), pp. 962–63
References
- ^ "The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section CXXX".
- ^ van Buitenen (1973), p. 231; Shastri Chitrao (1964), p. 962
- ISBN 81-8482-035-6.
- ^ Nityānanda Miśra (29 March 2020), Shantanu/śāntanu meaning explained, retrieved 2 April 2020
- ^ Monier-Williams Online Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899), p. 1054
- ^ Roy, Pratap Chandra; Ganguli, Kisari Mohan (1896). The Mahabharat of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa - Translated from Original Sanskrit (PDF). Calcutta-12: Oriental Publishing Co. p. 230. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
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: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ van Buitenen (1973), pp. 218-222
- ISBN 978-81-208-1673-2.
- ^ van Buitenen (1973), pp.223-224